BT says Pirate Bay block is 'nothing to do with filesharing'

Telco reveals all

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BT has spoken to TechRadar regarding the reasoning behind blocking The Pirate Bay and has explained that it has nothing to do with the website's link to illegal file-sharing.

It was revealed today by PC Pro that BT has blocked users from accessing The Pirate Bay on its mobile broadband service. A spokesperson from BT contacted us, however, to dispel any rumours linking the blocking of the site to the recent court case.

"Just to put it into perspective," they explained, "BT, along with a number of other ISPs, has signed up to a voluntary agreement that regulates content accessed by mobile broadband users.

"The reason this content needs regulating is that somebody under the age of 18 can sign up for a mobile broadband dongle. This is different to broadband in the home, where consumers need to be 18 to sign up to this sort of contract.

"When it comes to The Pirate Bay, the reason we have blocked the site is because users can access adult material on it."

Sites can be reactivated

We asked when the block was put into place the spokesperson said "recently" but could not confirm whether it was put into place before or after the recent Pirate Bay trial. They did categorically deny that the block had anything to do with the trial, however.

BT's official stance on the Pirate Bay saga is: "BT and the other UK mobile operators have agreed and implemented a voluntary Code of Practice for mobile content that restricts access to content unsuitable for customers under the age of 18.

"The list of sites and content that is restricted is compiled by individual operators themselves.

"BT customers who wish to have access to particular sites reactivated can do so by calling 150."

Interestingly, a source from another leading ISP has spoken to TechRadar and questioned why BT has actually mentioned the IWF in the reason for blocking The Pirate Bay, as the IWF hasn't actually sanctioned a block on the website.